You Will Win the Gratitude Game

Someone challenged me to write a “gratitude” journal for 30 days. I love challenges! So, I got out a super fancy, spiral-bound children’s grade school notebook and started my journal. I decided that I had to fill an entire page for each day. I also decided that I couldn’t just repeat the same things over and over. I had to try and discover new things for which I was grateful each day. I made the rule that if I had already mentioned someone or something, I could mention them again if there was a new “outstanding” reason for thankfulness. I challenge whoever is reading this to try this for 30 solid days. But before you do, take note of your level of “happiness” before you start, and then take note of your level of “happiness” when you finish. I think you will be surprised to discover just what gratitude brings to your life.

Here are my 100 things for which I am thankful today:

A warm house

Healthy children

A devoted husband

A break from ice and snow on the ground

Fresh baked cinnamon rolls

Being able to wish my dad Happy Birthday this week

Having a strong faith in God

A sister who texts me just the right words of encouragement

Another sister who listens to my heart

Another sister who reminded me of how I helped her change and grow during childhood

A friend who shows me how to love

Three teens who understand their call to purity

A dog who wants me to play fetch

My eyesight

A brain overflowing with ideas

Forgiveness

Adoration

My spiritual director

Sunshine

Comfortable shoes

A sister-in-law who offers support and understanding

Discovering a frozen pizza hidden in the freezer

Good neighbors

A wacky back massage from my daughter

Watching my daughter practice her ballet

Reading my other daughter’s essay

Laughing at my son’s funny antics

The Winter Olympics

Two working vehicles

Room for guests

Functional internet access

Marketing ideas that just keep pouring into my brain

A creative and fun and energetic peer who likes to work with me

Fancy wedding gift ideas that I don’t have to think of

Birthdays

Baptism days

All my nieces and nephews

Finding my hairdresser

Learning how to make laundry soap

Having access to recipes online

My apron

Clever ideas for mud rooms I found on Pinterest

Two working washing machines

Two working dryers

Polite children

Hardworking children

Peace in my family

Friday rosary

Friends who help remodel

Friends who have cheap remodeling ideas

Real estate investors and realtors who really want to help and have virtue